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New South Wales have claimed a record 11th consecutive National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC) title after proving too strong for a spirited Queensland at Traeger Park in Alice Springs today.

Queensland won the toss and elected to bat on the hottest morning yet of the NICC. The decision appeared a good one as Kyra Black and Tamika Hansen got off to a flyer in the powerplay racing to 0/36 off the first 5 overs. New South Wales tightened the screws immediately after that before another rush of runs put the foundations in place for a big Queensland score reaching 0/73 off 10.

New South Wales finally got a break through removing Hanson for a run a ball 37. Skipper Courtney Hagen then came to the crease and made her intentions clear early smashing her third ball to the fence. However, her opposite number Julie Muir bowled her on five and then soon after also claimed the wicket of Clodagh Ryall and New South Wales were back in the game.

Sitting 3/100 after 15 overs, Black was joined at the crease by Christina Coulson and Queensland were on track for a score above 130. With wickets in hand the pair looked to score off every delivery pushing ones and twos around at will. Black brought up her 50 off 50 balls in the 19th over before she too was back in the sheds skying one the next ball to deep mid-off.

However, with her departure Coulson took control clearing the rope off the next ball and despite Hannah Darlington claiming two last over wickets, Queensland went on to post 6/135 and give themselves every chance of a victory.

In reply New South Wales took full advantage of their powerplay thanks to some big hitting from Sara Darney and Roxsanne Van-Veen. With the score 0/38 after five overs Darney and Van-Veen upped the tempo even further smashing balls all over Traegar Park. The pair combined for a remarkable partnership of 120 from just 11 overs which included 12 fours and 5 sixes.

Eventually Van-Veen was dismissed for 63 off 32 deliveries but it was all too late for Queensland as New South Wales rocketed past their score in 12.5 overs with nine wickets in hand. Darney remained not out on 55 off 37 deliveries.

Attention now turns to the Men’s Final between New South Wales and Victoria. The 50 over match begins at Traeger Park today at 2pm local time.